Music and wider artistic sector can be confident of fairness in the future, as creative rights recognised
The Irish Music Rights Organisation today welcomed the result of the European Parliament Plenary Vote on the JURI Committee’s recommendations in relation to the proposed Copyright Package.
The vote, which was carried with 438 votes in favour, 226 against and 39 abstentions, is another step to provide clarity for the creative sector and some technology platforms in relation to recognition of copyrights, and remuneration for artistic works.
Commenting, Eleanor McEvoy, singer-songwriter and Chair of IMRO said:
“This is a good day for Irish music and on behalf of IMRO’s 12,000 members, I’d like to express thanks to those Irish MEPs who have been consistently supportive of our position. There has been a lot of mis-information to date in relation to the application of these proposals, and I’m glad that common sense has, so far, prevailed.
The Copyright Package has only ever been about fairness – fairness for the creative sector, and artists whose works have been exploited by certain technology companies, as well as consumers. It is, of course, disappointing to see that this point was lost on certain MEPs who chose not to support the proposals.
Technology and music can and do work hand-in-hand, and that’s great – but it has to be fair. Creators need to be paid for their work. I hope that the next stages of negotiation with the Commission and Council, will allow for a speedy adoption of these measures.”
Victor Finn, Chief Executive of IMRO said:
“IMRO expresses our thanks to MEPs who have consistently supported the position of Irish musicians on this issue. Today’s vote has demonstrated that technology and music go together, and that the majority of the political system recognises the system must be equitable.
This is a first step in a whole range of issues that must be addressed to secure the sustainability of Irish music into the future, and we look forward to engaging with Government in the very near future to ensure its speedy adoption.”
